• A large-scale study by Harvard, Oxford, and Garmin explores the link between sleep, exercise, and happiness using smartwatch and smartphone data.
  • Early findings suggest higher physical activity and adequate sleep correlate with increased happiness, with emotional stability varying by age.

A research collaboration involving Harvard University, the University of Oxford, and Garmin has released early findings from a large-scale study examining the relationship between physical activity, sleep, and happiness.

The study, which integrates smartwatch and smartphone data, aims to inform public policy and product development related to mental well-being.

The pilot study, launched in June 2024 at the Lugano Happiness Forum in Switzerland, is part of the broader Health and Happiness Study led by researchers from Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford. Following its initial phase, the study is expanding to include over 10,000 participants worldwide.

Key Findings from the Pilot Study

The study found strong correlations between increased daily physical activity, adequate sleep, and higher levels of happiness. Additionally, emotional stability appeared to vary by age, with older adults demonstrating more consistent emotional states, while younger participants exhibited greater variability.

Participants reported the highest levels of happiness while engaging in cultural and social activities, eating, or spending time with friends and family. The study also noted high retention rates, indicating that participants found value in self-monitoring their emotions.

Garmin, which serves as the exclusive smartwatch provider for the study, contributes sensor data from its wearable devices to help researchers analyze trends.

“As a collaborator on more than 1,000 research studies and clinical trials, the Garmin Health team is uniquely positioned to provide smartwatches with excellent battery performance, high-quality sensors, and dynamic API or SDK integration for monitoring and reporting,” said Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing.

Methodology and Expansion

Participants receive smartphone-based surveys three times a day, asking them to assess their current happiness levels and the activities they were engaged in prior to the survey.

This self-reported data is then cross-referenced with metrics from Garmin smartwatches, including sleep patterns, physical activity, and stress levels.

Micah Kaats, Principal Investigator at Harvard University, emphasized the significance of Garmin’s role in the research:

“The Health and Happiness Study is thrilled to work with Garmin as our exclusive smartwatch collaborator. Garmin’s unique combination of advanced wearable technology, a health-conscious user base, and a strong commitment to improving lives through data makes them the ideal partner for this groundbreaking research.”

With the study now expanding to a larger global participant base, researchers aim to further refine their understanding of how different factors contribute to mental well-being. The findings could potentially inform future health policies and the development of digital tools for well-being monitoring.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah